Aggie fullback helping running game

Published: Wednesday, October 13, 1999

COLLEGE STATION {AP}It didn't take long for Texas A&M fans to discover huge freshman fullback Ja'Mar Toombs last season. It was hard not to notice him.

Toombs made all the typical freshman mistakes and then some, but fans liked the way he threw his 265-pound body into tacklers and soon they were chanting an extended version of his name, 'Toooooobs,' after his runs.

Toombs gained 422 yards last season, the ninth best performance by an Aggie freshman. He's returned this season a lot smarter and more settled in his role on the team.

"I came here last year and I was kind of intimidated by all the other guys who had been here a long time," Toombs said. "I was afraid these guys wouldn't like me. I was really messing up a lot.

"When I was messing up early, I was afraid the fans would hate me. When they started calling out 'Toooombs' I appreciated the gesture."

Toombs was the only true freshman from the 1998 recruiting class that coach R.C. Slocum didn't redshirt. Toombs played in every game last season replacing starter Tiki Hardeman, who was scholastically ineligible.

He's become a big part of the A&M offense this season even with more emphasis on passing.

Hardeman is back on the team but he's injured and so is starting tailback Dante Hall. That makes players like Toombs, Eric Bernard, Stacy Jones and Joe Weber even more valuable.

"He is improving all the time," offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe said. "Last year, he came in as a true freshman and really had to improve his blocking and he's done that.

"We have been able to put the ball in his hands in different ways at fullback and tailback and even in the passing game too."

Toombs is the Aggies' leading rusher going into Saturday's game against Kansas at Kyle Field with 208 yards on 47 carries and three touchdowns.

"He's getting better, but he's still not what I'd call a good blocker," Slocum said. "He was a tailback in high school and didn't have to block. He likes playing tailback. We tell him if he blocks so many plays, we'll let him play tailback."

Toombs is down to 257 pounds this season and likes the tailback plays he gets to run.

"I like it because you can see more what is going on," Toombs said. "It's easier to read the defense and cut. At fullback, you are down and you just drive right into the line.

"At tailback, you get to be seven yards back and get a running start."